Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008 for Windows Vista

[dangel]

"Microsoft is done testing “Fiji,” its update to Windows Media Center and is preparing to release the product — officially known as “Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008.” Microsoft notified testers that it had RTM’d (released to manufacturing) Fiji on July 17, according to testers who requested anonymity.

From the alleged release note: Fiji, officially known as Windows Media Center TV Pack 2008, has Released! The input from Self Host testers has been invaluable to this product and the team would like to thank each of you for your bug reports and feedback. As the release team is taking a much needed break, our next focus will be to post the final build onto the Products servers. Please check the newsgroups for updates. Once the build is live, we will notify you.

Microsoft confirmed the RTM of Fiji in a new Knowledge Base article (KB955485). It says:

The Windows Media Center TV Pack was released on July 16, 2008. Not all computers that are shipped by hardware vendors in the retail channel have the Windows Media Center TV Pack installed. To check whether your computer has the Windows Media Center TV Pack installed, follow these steps:1. Start Windows Media Center.
2. In the Start window, scroll to Tasks, click Settings, and then click General.
3. Click About Windows Media Center, and then click Software Version.
If the version is 6.1.1000.18273, you are running the Windows Media Center TV Pack.

If the version number is 6.0.6001.18000, you are not running the Windows Media Center TV Pack. You are running the version of Windows Media Center that is included in Windows Vista or in Windows Vista SP1."

So.. the good news, Fiji (the updated Vista MC) is done. The bad news:

"I’ve also heard from a couple of testers that Microsoft is not planning to release Fiji publicly until September 3 at the CEDIA conference in Denver."

So, not too bad? Well..

"“The (Fiji) release going to be OEM only on new machines. They have not been testing any upgrade scenarios whatsoever — even when they were at RC (Release Candidate) 0. Did they not watch the whole Ultimate Extras debaucle? They put Media Center on millions of PCs thru Home Premium, and then give them all the shaft?”"

Let's hope they're not quite that stupid.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1489

[aidanjt]

I can hardly say I'm surprised.

[Agent]

Can't wait - adds some features I would really like

The OEM thing sounds beyond stupid though. Hopefully its just a hearsay.

[dangel]

I'll get hold of it (legally) anyway but I think it's rough on VMC users not just shipping it as a freebie. It's (probably) the killer app on Vista for me.
Freesat support in this - that's what I want

[Jay]

sorry I may have missed something but what does this add?

[dangel]

sorry I may have missed something but what does this add?

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/05...er-until-2010/

[aidanjt]

sorry I may have missed something but what does this add?

All the stuff that should have been in WMC in the first place.

[Agent]

I'll get hold of it (legally) anyway but I think it's rough on VMC users not just shipping it as a freebie. It's (probably) the killer app on Vista for me.
Freesat support in this - that's what I want

Guessing MSDN?
Hope so, as It means I'll have access to it too

It is indeed the killer app for me at the moment too. The main TV runs Vista MCE with 3 tuners and everyone in the house loves it. We also have a 360 running as an extender in the back room.

[dangel]

Yup, i'm pretty happy with it - i'd like freesat and i'd like to be able to reorganize the menus but other than that i've no real issues with it

edit: oohhh.. looky http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...omiser-32.html <<-- GUI menu editor for VMC

[Agent]

You can reorganise the menus with a resource hacker like ResourceTuner. It dumps the menu system to XML

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/1/2...howThread.aspx

Last but one post and onwards.
Have fun

[dangel]

You can reorganise the menus with a resource hacker like ResourceTuner. It dumps the menu system to XML

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/1/2...howThread.aspx

Last but one post and onwards.
Have fun

Cool thanks - check out that editor linky i posted - it's (from a glance) not half bad and makes the job easier

[Agent]

Oh nice, does indeed look handy. It looks like its only just been released so at least my XML editing hasn't gone to waste previously

[dangel]

lol - well at least you've been practicing a useful skill

(and backup before you edit folks you never know)

[countzerouk]

Anyone looking for the 32bit RTM version of this is advised to look at the comments on www engadgethd com /2008/08/06/hands-on-with-the-vista-media-center-tv-pack/

Edit Would have been a great first post if hexus had allowed URLs

[darxide]

Im patiently waiting for a x64 download, dont spose anyone has spotted it yet?
A public release is apparently scheduled for Late Sept/early Oct so i'll hopefully be grabbing my copy then.

[s_kinton]

Im patiently waiting for a x64 download, dont spose anyone has spotted it yet?

There is one out there, x86 and x64 were released at the same time. I'm not about to tell you the details, but suffice to say that its available from certain sites.